Clarets trio given game time during internationals

Chris Boden

Clarets defender Michael Keane was handed the most playing time of his Turf Moor team-mates during the international weekend.

The 22-year-old partnered Liam Moore and substitute John Stones at the heart of the defence as England Under 21’s saw off the Czech Republic in a friendly in Prague.

Leading scorer Danny Ings replaced Fulham’s Cauley Woodrow in the 62nd minute for Gareth Southgate’s side only to be booked in the fourth minute of stoppage time following a rash challenge on David Houska. Spurs midfielder Tom Carroll, currently on loan at Swansea City, netted for the Three Lions.

Elsewhere, Ings’ strike partner Sam Vokes featured for just over 20 minutes as Wales climbed to the top of Group B with a European Championship qualifying triumph over Israel.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa while Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale netted either side of Eitan Tibi’s sending off. Vokes replaced Reading’s Hal Robson-Kanu in the 69th minute of the fixture.

Defender Stephen Ward was an unused substitute in the Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw against Group D leaders Poland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin while full back Danny Lafferty watched from the bench as former Claret Kyle Lafferty’s brace kept Northern Ireland on course for qualification from Group F.

Burnley-born midfielder Oliver Norwood played 90 minutes in the 2-1 win against Finland at Windsor Park in Belfast to keep Michael O’Neill’s men within a point of Romania which boosted their chances of a first major finals appearance since the 1986 World Cup.

Meanwhile, youngster Cameron Howieson teamed up with the All Whites in Seoul ahead of New Zealand’s clash with Korea Republic today.

Ings and Keane are both expected to play some part in the Under 21s fixture against Germany at the Riverside Stadium tonight.